King Sol-Om-On’s Temple.

King Sol-Om-On’s Temple. [No. 50]

That was a splendid Temple which was raised
By the great Sol-Om-On,—three names in one,
All from “the god of day” whose sheen was on
Those Masons’ labours which e’en yet are praised.
Each Brother must build up, in his own heart, 5
A nobler Temple than e’er graced the brow
Of Mount Moriah, fro which will ever flow
Incense more pure than e’er can form a part
Of priestly fumigations. Let us be
Builders of Spiritual Temples, where our Lord 10
Will find our Souls constantly in accord
With Him through Time and all Eternity.
We must, all life long, Build for Sin or God:
Happy the Mason who his Maker’s paths hath trod.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Hiram, King of Tyre

Hiram, King of Tyre. [No. 51]

Tis well when Rulers can allow the Sword
To rest within the Scabbard; it is wise
To strive alone in peaceful enterprise,
Binding each Land in Commerce,—silken chain
Which never chafes. ’Twas wise in Israel’s King 5
To make such Treaty with the King of Tyre,
When he to Build the temple did aspire.
Even now we seem to hear the Axes ring
In Lebanon’s big Forest. How they fall,
Those Pines and Cedars! And Sidonian skill 10
Soon carves them into shape; the Craftsman’s will
Bringing rude matter into forms which all
Admire for Strength and Beauty. So must we
Carve Thoughts and Feelings with true Masonry.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Widow’s Son.

The Widow’s Son. [No. 52]

Behold a Sculptor!—he, the Widow’s Son,
We learnt in all the Plastic Arts of Tyre,
As practices with skill’d Sidonian Sire:
Which with his Mother’s Piety did run
Blended, as she received it from her Tribe 5
Of Naphtali. He upon Jordan’s Plain,
Between Succoth and Zarthan, with hands and brain
Modell’d the clay in forms which every scribe
Delights to chronicle; in metal cast,
They had endured to the end of time, 10
Had man permitted: and in every clime
Masons his name have honour’d. It will last
For ever; and, in all our Lodges, he
Is the grand type of faithful Secrecy.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Valley of the Shadow of Death.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death. [No. 53]

Dark is the Valley where Death’s Shadow flings
Its sombre hue around: most dense to him
Whose life being evil, all before is dim
To his Soul’s vision. The Master Mason clings
Fast to Hope’s anchor, and perceives a Light, 5
At first seen faintly glimmering in the East,
To guide him onward,—which he knows at least
Is no mere quagmire flame, delusive, bright
To lead astray. That Light is seen more clear
When worldly cares have ceased to dim our sight, 10
And, like true heroes, we resolve to fight
Life’s battle bravely; deeming nothing dear
To wise and worthy Masons here below
Which will not on Mankind true Happiness bestow.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Seeking for the Word.

Seeking for the Word. [No. 54]

Know’st thou what’s meant by Seeking for the Word?
’Tis emblematic of the Search for Truth,—
The Mason’s great desire. He must in youth
And manhood labour to afford
The Mind free scope for growth. All Nature must 5
Be as a Book in which he loves to read
And study well; so that he may be freed
From grovelling Superstition. To be Just,
Courageous in all Righteousness, and Wise;
Trusty, and Merciful to all; to be 10
A man of Honour and Integrity,—
Is ever the true Mason’s high emprise.
He alone Finds the Word who comprehends
His purpose here, and to all Duty humbly bends.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Acacia.

The Acacia. [No. 55]

Revered by Masons let the Acacia be!
The Hebrews used the plant to mark a grave;
And o’er a Brother’s breast I have
Dropp’d it upon the coffin; just when we
Were taking our last look; ere the priest had done 5
His obsequies—or his fellow Volunteers
Discharged their farewell volleys—and the tears
Were trickling down our cheeks. And I have gone
Often alone to visit the green spot
Where the true Brother’s ashes calmly rest: 10
For, when we muse among the tombs, ‘tis best
To be alone. Those Friends we ne’er forget
Seem then to visit us. Then let us be,
Acacia emblem, innocent as thee!

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Legends of the Craft.

The Legends of the Craft. [No. 56]

Whether out legends Facts or Fictions be,
Their Teaching is the same: and that man knows
Little of Ethics who too rashly vows
All Fiction must be Falsehood. Do not we
Find highest Truths in Parables? And He 5
Who taught in Palestine so long ago,
As none else taught, used them to strike a blow
At all Untruth. But we must have the Key
To unlock Symbolic Teaching, in the Mind,
Or Allegories ne’er can benefit 10
The sluggish brain of country clown or cit.
He who knows how to Search, will surely Find
Truth hid e’en in her Well; but they who boast
Sole love of Literal Facts, too often Err the most.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Skirret.

The Skirret. [No. 57]

When, from the Central Pin, the Line was drawn,
To mark the ground where Builders were to raise
Some noble Temple to their Maker’s praise;
Sure were the deep Foundations laid, and Stone
On Stone was deftly piled; until men saw 5
A Building quite complete in all its parts,
And Masonry rank’d first of all the Arts.
Let us, as speculative Masons, go
As wisely-well to work; so that we may
Lay fast Foundations for our Souls to Build 10
A Spiritual Temple, which, for ever fill’d
With incense of true worship, will for aye
Enable us, in the Grand Lodge Above,
To meet, where all is Harmony and Love.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Pencil.

The Pencil. [No. 58]

Small is the Pencil, but how great its power
When the skill’d Artist guides it for some Plan
Design’d to benefit his Fellow-man!
The gift of genius is a glorious dower,
When well applied. ’Tis given that we may Bless 5
Ourselves and others. Let us use it well,
If we possess it. When the Funeral-bell
Tells of our Soul’s departure, it will less
Concern us that Mental Gifts were ours,
Than that we Used them Well, however Small: 10
For there is work to do for one and all,
At our own doors, if we will use our powers.
Where much is given, there will be most required;
But all must be by Holiness inspired.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Compasses.

The Compasses. [No. 59]

Mark well the Compasses! Their use you see
In giving just proportions, to insure
Beauty and Strength to Fabrics that endure
When they who rear’d them can no longer be
Heedful of praise or blame from those who live. 5
Then let us learn to keep our Actions so
Within due Compass, that when we too go
To join “the great majority,” and give
A strict account of all our labours here,
We need not fear the Great All-Seeing Eye, 10
But feel that it is happiness to die,
And enter the Grand Lodge where sorrow ne’er
Shall mar our perfect Bliss. Brothers! If Just,
Safely in the Most High we may repose our Trust.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Symbols.

Symbols. [No. 60]

Nature abounds in Symbols for the Wise!
Sunset and Sunrise; Phoebus in his pride;
Luna, as she doth in her glory ride,
With all her starry train; the watchet Skies,
Fleckt with all-gorgeous Clouds; the whimpling Rill, 5
The rushing River, and the booming Sea;
Birds of all hues and songs; all seem to me
Pregnant with potent Teachings. Every Hill
And Valley, Tree, Flower, Grass, Moss, Lichen; all
The Insect Tribes that there have their brief day; 10
The very Dust we tread on; each, all may
Form Symbols to a thinking Mind, and call
On Masons here to Read them. Oh, that we
May Think and Work with God through all eternity!

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The All-seeing Eye, No. I.

The All-seeing Eye, No. I. [No. 61]

“God is all Eyes!” far-seeing PLINY said;
And all the ages His unceasing care
For all His creatures, caused men everywhere,
By Natural Piety and Wisdom led,
To picture forth the Great All-Seeing Eye 5
As Symbol meet of watchful Deity.
’Twas used in Egypt’s far antiquity;
Greece, Rome, and every ancient Mystery,
Wisely preserved the Emblem. From then, we
Accepted it with gratitude. When Sleep 10
Doth on all toil-worn Mind and Body creep,
To renovate our Strength, our God on high
Ever keeps wakeful watch: the darkest Night
Is to that Eye clear as the noontide Light.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The All-seeing Eye, No. II.

The All-seeing Eye, No. II. [No. 62]

His Laws pervade all Space; if we rebel,
Then happiness is ours; if we rebel,
We bear, in our own Souls, a burning Hell
Of Misery to scorch us: we must Pay
The utmost Penalty. He strikes in Love; 5
For Anger is unknown to the Most High:
Unchangeable his Laws; in vain we cry
To be exempted. We have but to prove
Ourselves fit for His Mercies to receive.
That Ever-Watchful Eye, high over all, 10
See Thoughts as well as Actions. If we fall
From Righteousness, then wantonly we leave
The flowery Paths of truest Happiness:
For Vice will Curse, and Virtue ever Bless.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Trowel.

The Trowel. [No. 63]

Honour the Trowel far above the Sword!
Its Work is much more useful to Mankind.
Well know the Ancient Builders how to bind
Their Masonry, when all, in one accord,
Spread the well-temper’d Mortar: and we know 5
How, e’en in Ruins, many Stones lie bound
Into one Solid Mass. Let us be found
Spreading true Cement, which will Unite us so
In strongest Bonds of Brotherhood, that we
May live in Love together all our days; 10
And safely pass through Life’s perplexing maze,
With steady footsteps, to Eternity:
Living in perfect Friendship whilst on Earth,
And finding Death to us Immortal Birth.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

True Brotherhood.

True Brotherhood. [No. 64]

Wrong thou no man; but, if ’tis in thy power,
Shield all from Injury: but, more than all,
Be every ready at a Mason’s call,
To render all thy Aid, in Sorrow’s hour.
Are we not bound in holy Brotherhood, 5
(Despite of Colour, Politics, or Creed,)
To serve each other in the hour of Need,
So long we prove worthy? “Of One Blood”
God made “all Nations of Men,” wherever they
May “dwell on all the face o’ the Earth,”—as we 10
Find bravely taught by eloquent PAUL, when he
Undaunted stood on Mar’s Hill, ‘midst the bray
Of Athen’s angry Sons! For all time,
Masons are Brothers, spite of Creed or Clime.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Precept and Practice.

Precept and Practice. [No. 65]

Brothers! If we would all be Masons true:
In public and in private strove to be
Faithful unto the Principles which we
Are taught in our tyled Lodges; they would imbue
Our Minds with all which tends to elevate 5
The Man above the Brute. A Phalanx firm,
Standing unmoved by any raging Storm
Of Worldly Cares or Wickedness, our state
Would then be one of Peace with God and Man.
All that is Pure and Lovely would be ours; 10
And we should feel within us nobler powers
Of thought and Action, than we ever can
So much as dream of, marching to our graves
Mere slothful, sinful, worldly-minded Slaves.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Slander.

Slander. [No. 66]

Slander is hateful to the Mason’s mind:
It is a vulgar Vice, which only those
Whose Souls in Virtue never knew Repose,
Will e’er indulge in. To Brothers refined
By noble Studies and a blameless Life, 5
All Slander is disgusting. The Good Name
Of each true Mason is to him the same
As though it were his Own: and in the Strife
Of the World’s Warfare, he will bravely Fight
With Moral Weapons, at whatever Cost, 10
To defend the Absent. Never can be Lost
The timely Word of Truth spoke for the Right.
All Masons must be True to one another,
And ready to Defend their Absent Brother.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Good Freemason.

The Good Freemason. [No. 67]

Honour’d—yea more—Beloved by Mason’ true,
Be he who, in his Daily Life, maintains
The Precepts of our Craft; who never stains
His Soul with Vice; but ever has in view
The Higher Life known only to the Few. 5
Not only in the Lodge-room is’t that he
Thinks of the Principles of Masonry:
His Mind they aye so thoroughly imbue,
Pure Thoughts, Pure Words, Pure Actions are his own
Without much effort. For all Humankind— 10
Yea, e’en the Brute Creation – his Free Mind
Has care and Love, until Himself hath grown
A part of All, and All a part of Him,
And his pure Life is one transcendent Hymn.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Bumptious Brother.

The Bumptious Brother. [No. 68]

They blunder’d badly who could introduce
Your Bumptious “Brother” to a Mason’s Lodge,
Whate’er his social station: honest Hodge,
Who tends his swine and cattle, far more use
And ornament had been. He never had 5
More preparation for Freemasonry
Than that the Tyler gave him; nor will he
Be aught but a mere Stumbling-block. How sad
To see such weak-brain’d but conceited thing—
Whose hear is wrapt in Selfishness—sit down 10
In a tyled Lodge, or standing up to frown
On better Brothers! It can only bring
Disgrace and trouble on the Craft, to have
In any Lodge either a Fool or Knave.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Cliques.

Cliques. [No. 69]

No Clique should we be able e’er to trace
In a Freemasons’ Lodge: there all should be
Kind, Just, and Candid—perfect Amity;
Each able an implicit Trust to place
In every Brother’s Honour. Are not we 5
Bound each to Aid each other and our Race?—
To seek in daily practice to embrace
Each Virtue that adorns Humanity?
Cliques spring from selfish thirst for Place and Power,
And are most Unmasonic: let them ne’er 10
Disturb the Harmony with which we cheer
The Pilgrimage of Life. Love is a dower
Too precious to be idly cast away;
And Justice, Truth, will Blessings bring for aye.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Promotion by Merit.

Promotion by Merit. [No. 70]

If Rank and Wealth gains precedence o’er Worth,
The thing is not Masonic. In the Lodge,
We all are Equal; and no worldly dodge
Should there upset the Level. Pride of Birth,
Purse-pride, or Pride of Power, if carried there, 5
Is out of place; and Flunkeyism ne’er
Should fill a Mason’s Breast. We need not fear
For the old Craft, if we will only dare
To live to its noble Precepts. Let us Trust
Them fully; for their practice will conduce 10
To truest Happiness, if we will use
Them as all Masons ought. Let us be Just
In choosing into Office the best Brother,
And foster Loving-kindness to each other.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Worshipful Masters.

Worshipful Masters. [No. 71]

It pains me deeply when I look upon
A weak-brain’d man presiding in the Chair,
To represent wise Solomon! Despair
Of Masonry in such a Lodge should learn
All to be careful whom they so elect: 5
Cool Head, well-train’d to Think, with Heart as warm,
Aye to the Master’s Working gives a charm
From Icy Hearts and Feeble Brains protect
The good old Craft!—such have no business there:
Reject them, e’en for Tylers. They disgrace 10
And lower the Craft, which from the human race
Should choose the wise and good: for none should wear
The simplest Badge of pure Masonry
Save those who are from Vice and Folly Free.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Tylers.

Tylers. [No. 72]

Though, at the Lodge, your station be Outside,
That all Intruders may be kept away,
Arm’d with well-temper’d Swords, with which you may
Guard all our Secret Meetings; could you but guide
None but the Good, where all Men should be Pure,— 5
Your Loins girt round with Truth; well skill’d to wield
The Sword o’ the Spirit; bearing Faith for Shield,
Salvation for your Helmet, Breastplate sure
Of Righteousness, with Feet well shod
With Peace; Oh, Tylers! Could you drive away 10
From Masonry, all who may come but they
Who are Prepared by Love for Man and God;
Angels and Men for you would have regard,
And i’ the Grand Lodge Above would be your sure reward.

by Geogre Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

National Prejudices, No. I.

National Prejudices, No. I. [No. 73]

Love well thy Native Land!—all that is Great
And Glorious in its History, make thine Own.
Aided by other Countries, it has grown
To what it Is: Unaided, none can mate
With Civilised Communities. We prate 5
Most foolishly when we set up to be
The ever People ever Wise and Free,
And dare to look on other Lands with Hate.
The Great, whate’er their Clime, belong to All:
Nations are Tribes of one Great Family: 10
Eons of Heat or Cold have made One be
Dark and the other Fair. I cannot call
That Man a true Freemason whose weak Soul
Has Sympathies mere Climate can control!

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

National Prejudices, No. II.

National Prejudices, No. II. [No. 74]

The Fatherhood of the Great Architect
And Universal Brotherhood of Man,
Are two great factors in the glorious plan
Of pure Freemasonry. Those who object
To teach and Practise these, should have no place 5
In a Freemasons’ Lodge. All Prejudice
Of Clime of Colour, is a foolish Vice
In true Freemasons’ eyes: the Human Race,
With them, being held a One Great Family.
The good of every Creed and Clime are One, 10
However they may differ. We must Learn
To Prize all Worth, wherever it may be;
And, whilst we cherish our own Country’s Good,
Hold God had made All Nations of One Blood.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Friendship, No. I.

Friendship, No. I. [No. 75]

Seek not for Friendship with the Vile of Earth,
Whose highest aspirations are to gain
Honours unearn’d and Wealth, whatever Pain
They give their Fellow-men: those who from Birth
Have Crawl’d, or Stalk’d, or Run, as best they could, 5
Along the Path of Life; pushing aside
More modest Merit, in their bloated Pride;
Worldly Success their God. But with the Good
Of every Creed and Clime—though they may not
See with the eyes in Statesmanship, but love 10
Fair Freedom here, and hope for Peace above,
In the Grand Lodge Eternal—cast thy lot.
The Friends we lose we may never recall:
Then let us Strive through Life to Keep them All.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Friendship, No. II.

Friendship, No. II. [No. 76]

Give the Friendship of the truly Good—
The Approbation of the Wise of Earth;
And then, however humble be my Birth
And Social Situation; and whether my Blood
Had coursed in veins of Peasants or of Peers; 5
My home may be a Cottage, and my Purse
And Raiment may be Poor; yet I will nurse
Bright Thoughts and Noble Feelings all my Years;
And, so that plainest Food and Health be mine,
For Rank and Wealth my Soul shall never fret: 10
Yea, I full fain would owe no other Debt
Than that of Gratitude to the Divine
Dispenser of all Good, and those choice Friends
With whom my Soul in Harmony now blends.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Friendship, No. III.

Friendship, No. III. [No. 77]

The wisest and the best of men have been
Too often Misunderstood. He who would gain
The gratitude of Men, must bear the pain
Of being most Unpopular, I ween,
With Owls of his own day. But he who makes 5
No Friends, however few, who love him well,
Has surely never learnt how he could quell
That Selfish Disposition which e’er takes
All Loveliness from Man. Deserve a Friend,
And when thou need’st him most, thou then wilt find 10
Some whom thou least expected act most kind
And trusty to thee. Learn thyself to bend
Lowly to every Suffering Thing on Earth,
And thou of Friends will never know a dearth.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Friendship, No. IV

Friendship, No. IV. [No. 78]

There are some Icy Hearts in which the germs
Of Friendship ne’er can grow. You know them long,
Yet never would prefer your lot among
Such Undeveloped Manhood; for the Forms
Of Men, but not the Souls, are theirs: no terms 5
Which they could offer, be they Rich or Poor,
Could bind our Hearts in Friendship for an Hour,
Much less for Life. Little above the Worms,
To which we all are journeying, are they.
The friends we lose by Death, we can’t recall, 10
E’en would we do so, to this earthly ball;
But yet around our path the golden ray
Of other Friendships may illumine the gloom,
And cheer us in our passage to the Tomb.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Friendship, No. V.

Friendship, No. V. [No. 79]

There is no Friendship ever known to man
More pure than that true Masonry imparts:
It is a perfect union of hearts,
Together bound with cords of love, which can
Bless each and all who own this heavenly dower. 5
The Good alone can feel this “Mystic Tie:”
And every Mason ought to seek to vie
Alone in Deeds of Goodness. In the hour
Of fell Adversity—though Clouds may lour
Above and all around him—he will find 10
Some Brother Mason who will seek to bind
Up all his wounds. There is a magic power
In Masonry to link in Friendship’s chain
Each man possess’d of noble heart and brain.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Gentleness.

Gentleness. [No. 80]

Never speak harshly when a kindly word
Will answer the same end. We little know
The potent power of Gentleness. No blow
Struck by Thor’s Hammer, (Thor, the mighty Lord
Our Scandinavian Ancestors adored,) 5
No vile abuse, no curses deep or loud,
No speech or act of men in evil mood,
Ever unto the heights of Manhood soar’d.
All Masons should be men of gentle mind,—
Brave as the lion, harmless as the dove— 10
Their hearts imbued with Justice, Mercy, Love;
And then through life they will be sure to find
The Gentleness is from all Weakness free,—
That it is Strength and Power through all eternity.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Time.

Time. [No. 81]

Hath e’er, in childhood, ridden in a cart,
And watch’d how trees and houses seem to fly
Past thee, as though thyself were stationary,
And they in rapid motion? Perhaps now thou art
In mind scarce more advanced. Days, years roll by, 5
We say, but fancy that we stand unmoved!
How little has our mental sight improved,
Although Life’s journey’s end may fast draw nigh!
Years are but links in an unending chain,
Time but a portion of Eternity! 10
Thy Temple build with true Freemasonry,
If thou admittance to that Lodge would gain
Where the Great Architect doth surely reign;
And those who build for aye are freed from every pain.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Silence.

Silence. [No. 82]

Silence is often as eloquent as Speech,
To souls which to its teaching are attuned,—
Minds of superfluous exuberance pruned,
And taught to see the True. For we must reach
Through all things which surround us, if we would 5
Be true Freemasons. Much hidden mystery
Must be unveil’d and traced, if we would see
The grandeur of God’s Universe. The Good
In Man and Nature must be understood;
Of the Great Architect of All can ne’er 10
Be spiritually worshipp’d in this sphere
Of mundane darkness; nor the Brotherhood
Of the now wide-spread family of Man
Be loved as part of our Good Father’s plan.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Departed Brothers, No. I.

Departed Brothers, No. I. [No. 83]

Oft by my cheerful hearth as I have sat,
Smoking the pipe of peace at eventide,
Divested of all prejudice and pride,
Giving my fancy reins to roam to what
So often gives me pleasure,—thoughts of those 5
Dear Friends whom I have met in social hours,
When soul to soul seem’d to assert their powers
To mingle into one,—there has arose
Kindly remembrances of friends I ne’er
Shall meet on earth again; and Masons then 10
Seem with me, who were always happy when
They met good Brother Masons. Very dear
To me is now their Memory. Will I
Be thus remember’d when I too shall die?

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Departed Brothers, No. II

Departed Brothers, No. II. [No. 84]

However we may fancy we despise
The estimation in which we are held
By others, are at times all compell’d
To yearn for Sympathy. The Mason wise
Seeks to endear himself unto the Good,— 5
Aiming at moral deeds of high enterprise;
Feeling that peace and highest honour lies
Alone in acts of virtue, he fain would
For Friends have all the Wisest and the Best:
And these are they who will his Memory cherish 10
When death has come. Then let the Body perish,
Returning to its parent, Earth, to rest
When this life’s trying work at last is done
So wisely-well that men must honour us when gone.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Departed Brothers, No. III.

Departed Brothers, No. III. [No. 85]

He, who would live in human hearts, when life
Has left his earthly tabernacle, must
Endear himself, by actions wise and just,
To all his fellow-creatures; parents, wife,
Children, and neighbours, all must feel that he 5
Was one who loved them. Love begetteth Love,
And Hate engenders Hate. The Grand Lodge Above
Would be no Heaven for him whom Masonry
Had been a farce or bauble to on Earth.
Cherish Masonic Principles when here, 10
And then, my Brother, thou need’st never fear,
Alike in moods of sadness or of mirth,
But Brother Masons will remember thee
With Love, and Honour, and Fidelity.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Departed Brothers, No. IV.

Departed Brothers, No. IV. [No. 86]

Even now, methinks, I see a genial Band
Of Brothers round me, long since pass’d away
From this sublunar globe; who seems to say:—
Brothers! be faithful to the Craft; both Hand
And Heart with pleasure ready to obey 5
Its high behests; and then thou safely may
Hope for Remembrance here, when Life’s brief Day
Has reach’d Low Twelve; and though wilt Serve for aye
Our Great Grand Master; and to whom Serve is now,
And was, and e’er will be, true Happiness 10
Be not ashamed to Practise and Profess
Our holy Precepts. Faithful to thy Vow,
For thee the Grave no Terrors need possess,—
Being but the gate that leads to realms of endless Bliss.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Masonic Jewelry, No. I.

Masonic Jewelry, No. I. [No. 87]

Wear on thy Finger no Masonic Ring,
Nor let the Emblems of Freemasonry
Flare on thy Breastpin, if they do not bring
Thy Duties as a Mason home to thee,
And aid thee in their practice. Let them be 5
For Use as well as Ornament; or fling
Them from thee as mere gauds, which we
As Masons should despise. True Poets sing
“A good time coming,” ever brightening
The darkness of the Present with the hope 10
That, in the Future, Man will nobly cope
With all the Evils which in our days wring
The heart with anguish! and the “Mystic Tie”
Ever has help’d to bless humanity.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Masonic Jewelry, No. II

Masonic Jewelry, No. II. [No. 88]

If now thy motives bear the All-Seeing Eye
To scrutinise them; though thy weakness may
Cause thee regret at close of many a day
That little seems accomplish’d, and to sigh
For golden opportunities to prove 5
That Masonry with thee is no mere toy,
Or idler’s luxury, but giveth joy
Unspeakable, because ’tis Truth and Love,—
Reverence for God, in whom we place our Trust,
And Love abounded for our Fellow-man, 10
To benefit whom is our noble plan,
By actions ever brave and wise and just;—
If in thy Heart thou a Freemason be,—
Then only may’st thou wear Masonic Jewelry!

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Masonic Press, No. I

The Masonic Press, No. I. [No. 89]

Give, my good Brothers, all the aid you can
To the Masonic Press. It is an age
Of Free Inquiry; and we must engage
In nought we can’t Defend. There is no Ban
By Popish hate e’er put on our dear Craft 5
Can injure us, if we are only true
To our own Precepts. We have men enow,
Wise and courageous, who have ever laugh’d
All curses unto scorn: full able they
To Answer all the Churches’ Calumnies: 10
They see the naked Truth with undimm’d Eyes;
Their Pens are ever ready for the fray,
Knowing their Cause is Right, they’re not afraid,
But only ask the reading Mason’s aid.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Masonic Press, No. II.

The Masonic Press, No. II. [No. 90]

There is a class of Owlets in our ranks
Whose feeble eyes bear not the light of day.
Bear with them, till we bury them; but they
Should ne’er have been admitted; and no thanks
The Literary Mason need expect 5
From such as these. We must in future have
Men who are Wise and Good and Brave:
Such, and such only, must we now Accept.
Our History needs re-writing; we must prove
All things, and keep most firmly to the Truth 10
Our Craft is not decrepit; in its youth
It ne’er was stronger. Friendship, Truth, and Love
Of all that’s Lovely, still to teach are ours;
And these for aye will task the Mason’s manliest powers.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

The Masonic Press, No. III.

The Masonic Press, No. III. [No. 91]

There yet are Lodges where no Magazine
Or good Masonic Book, to teach Mankind
What Was, and Is, and Might Be, you can find.
Among such Brothers, never can be seen
The genuine working of Freemasonry. 5
They stumble on through some Masonic Rite,
Shorn of its Beauty; and their chief delight
Seems in the Banquet. Wisdom, Charity,
All that ennobles Man, they only deem
Are things to prate of, not to make their own. 10
The seeds of Masonry have there been sown
On barren ground: their Life is but a Dream.
There needs the Light of the Masonic Press
Such cells of Darkness to Illume and Bless.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Lodge Libraries, No. I.

Lodge Libraries, No. I. [No. 92]

I would that every Masons’ Lodge should have
A Library of good Masonic Lore.
The Arts and Sciences we should explore,
And all that’s calculated Man to save
From Ignorance and Vice. Mere Sign and Word 5
Were never Masonry: they help to guard
The Craft from Cowans; but the great reward
Is his who fights with Masonry’s keen sword
To slaughter Error. Men have labour’d hard,
Age after age, to chronicle each Thought 10
They felt was worthy; and all Masons ought
To cherish and to spread them, and to guard
Them from destruction. Thus a choice Library,
By all good Masons, ever must well-treasured be.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Lodge Libraries, No. II.

Lodge Libraries, No. II. [No. 93]

Time was, when Books were scarce and Readers few,
(Learning being chiefly then to Priest confined.)
The Builders who in Lodges had combined
To study Masonry, only could pursue
Their courses by Oral Teaching: we must still 5
Reserve it for each Secret Word or Sign
Ne’er to be Written. Let not the benign
Spirit of Masonry be known so ill
For any to imagine Masons can
Care naught for Literature, however good; 10
Or Scientific Teaching is not food
Fit for our Mental Palates. Whate’er for Man
When cultured is most excellent, that we
Must cherish most in pure Freemasonry.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Lodge Libraries, No. III.

Lodge Libraries, No. III. [No. 94]

The Psalmist David ruled o’er Israel’s land,
And Homer had not sung the siege of Troy,
When Osymandias nobly did employ
His royal leisure in a work as grand
As any who e’er occupied the throne 5
Of Ancient Egypt, when in Memphis he
Wisely establish’d the first Library
Which we now wot of. That was the dawn
Of Mental Light for Man: and shall not we—
When twice ten thousand Tinkers have since then 10
Bequeath’d their Writings to their Fellow-men—
Treasure Wise Teachings?—we, who claim to be
Children of Light! Good Books are ever True
To all who keep their proper Use in view.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Bro. Robert Burns, No. I.

Bro. Robert Burns, No. I. [No. 95]

BURNS! Few there be who know how much they owed
To the fine Teachings of Freemasonry!
Our ancient Craft did much to wake in thee
That love of Manhood which thou taught the Crowd
In Songs which now are sung in every Land. 5
It taught thee the wide Brotherhood of Man,
Whate’er his Creed or Clime; from it began
That feeling in thee which will ever stand
As one grand feature of thy noble Soul—
That Rank and Wealth are playthings of the hour, 10
Unless for good their owners use their power;
And if at times thou in “the Flowing Bowl”
Sought surcease of thy Sorrows,—even then
Thou often soar’d full high above thy Fellow-men!

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Bro. Robert Burns, No. II.

Bro. Robert Burns, No. II. [No. 96]

There are dark spots e’en on “the god of day.”
The strongest souls from weakness are not free;
And BURNS was truly great and good, though he
Had human failings. Which of us can say
That we are purer than our gifted Brother? 5
His faults may not be our faults; yet have we
Arrived at that true Manhood all may see
Shine through his Life and Hymnings? Some other
Failings may sink us lower than the great Bard
Whom meaner souls traduce. Freemasonry 10
Glows brighter through his noble Poësy,—
Hence all the Craft should be the first to guard
His ever-famous Name from the mean Lies
Of Slanderers who all wise men despise.

By George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887

Bro. President Garfield.

Bro. President Garfield. [No. 97]

Brother! Thou fell by base Assassin’s hand,—
Like that illustrious Mason long ago,
Whose cherish’d name the Craft for e’er will show
As on whose Life and Death alike was grand;
A fine example of Fidelity. 5
Thy spotless Life and thy most cruel Death
Merit alike Laurel and Cypress Wreath.
Well the true Master Mason knows to Die,
After a well-spent Life, is but to lie
Aside the mortal Casket which enshrined 10
On Earth, for a brief time, the immortal Mind,
Whose Home is the Grand Lodge Above; to try
Our pinions well for which, whilst here on Earth,
Is preparation meet for the Eternal Birth.

by George Markham Tweddell (1st published c 1887)

Bro. George Marwood, P.D.G.M., N. & E.York.

Bro. George Marwood, P.D.G.M., N. & E.York. [No. 98]

A good Man and true Mason in peace,—
One our fine Ritual who could render well;
And Brother Masons for long years will tell
Of his good Working; and will never cease
To tell how, in all his dealings with mankind, 5
Masonic maxims were by him revered;
And now his princely Bounty often cheer’d
His suffering Fellow-creatures. We find
Too few such sterling Masons. We must learn
To follow his example, far as we 10
Have means to use substantial Charity;
And when they fail, our Hearts can always burn,
Like his, with the pure fire of Masonry,
And be from Selfishness entirely Free.

By George Markham Tweddell (1st Published c 1887)

Bro. H.R.H. Prince Leopold.

Bro. H.R.H. Prince Leopold. [No. 99]

Mourn for our Brother, Leopold, for he
Was a true Man and Mason; a true Prince
In Intellect and Morals: never since
His gifted Father, could we ever see
A Prince more truly worthy of the name. 5
For he had love for all that raises Man
To Manhood; all that elevates, and can
Refine out Nature: and the trump of Fame
Will loudly o’er the World his Worth proclaim,
Though he, for us, hath all too early Died; 10
For he in nought to meanness was allied,
But loved his Fellow Men; so that his Name
Was ever link’d with all that’s Pure and Good—
A Prince in Thought and Act, not merely one in Blood.

By George Markham Tweddell (1st published c 1887)

Bro. General Garibaldi.

Bro. General Garibaldi. [No. 100]

A Hero of the highest type was he!
No Mason ever loved his Country more;
And Doomsday will appear to men before
Again thy see his equal. Liberty
Ne’er had a purer, bolder, wiser Son: 5
No greed of Gold, or Power, or Rank, had he,
But urgent wish to serve Humanity,—
And love from every Patriot he has won.
Hated alone by those who wish’d to enslave
The Minds and Bodies of their Fellow Men, 10
Our Brother’s Name will, to the future Pen
Of Poet or Historian, be brave
And spotless one: and they will him proclaim
As worthy o’er the World of Everlasting Fame!

George Markham Tweddell (first published c 1887)

Additional Masonic Poems by George Markham Tweddell

Sonnet: To Bro. Henry Sadler, P.M

by George Markham Tweddell

From http://njfreemason.net/dev/content/sonnet-researcher

"Sonnet for a Researcher
After collecting and publishing the collected poems of George Markham Tweddell, including those from his 1887 book - One Hundred Masonic Poems, Paul Tweddell, then in contact with the Centre for Research into Freemasonry at Sheffield University, added this poem to the collection in which GM Tweddell celebrates the book "Masonic Facts and Fictions" by Henry Sadler

"Rebecca Coombes, the Librarian of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry, recently drew our attention to the following sonnet, by George Markham Tweddell, author of A Hundred Masonic Sonnets, published in The Freemason, 21 January 1888, on the occasion of the publication of Masonic Facts and Fictions by Henry Sadler, the first Librarian and Curator of United Grand Lodge. If the work of the Centre for Research into Freemasonry is also celebrated in verse, its success will be assured."

Sonnet: To Bro. Henry Sadler, P.M., &c., on reading his valuable volume on "Masonic Facts and Fictions", just published.

Souls of the "Ancient Masons" who did keep
The Good Old Craft in England far more pure
Than "Moderns" would have made it, I am sure,
E'en now, in bliss, with gratitude must leap
To see a worthy Brother rise to sweep
The cobwebs of delusion from the page.
Where they have hung, dirt-catching, black with age;
For thy researches have been carried deep
Into such records as do now remain.
Thanks, Bro. SADLER, hearty thanks to thee,
For thy wise labours in Freemasonry;
Thou now hast made what erst was dark most plain.
"Masonic Facts and Fictions" well have shown
How seeds which germinated were by "Ancient Masons" sown.

The sonnet was reprinted in a flyer advertising Masonic Facts and Fictions 'just published, 250 pages, price seven shillings and sixpence', produced by the book's publisher, George Kenning. The flyer goes on to give an example of a further press notice of Sadler's volume in Funny Folks, January 21st, 1888:

................................

The Craft and symbolism of  Freemasonry is not far away in GM Tweddell's other poetical works - but on this site we've just included those from his One Hundred Masonic Poems and a few here where the subject matter whole relates to the craft of Freemasonry or Oddfellowship. The rest can be found by looking through the pdf files of his collected poems on Tweddell Hub - here - http://georgemarkhamtweddell.blogspot.co.uk/

..................................................

This is an early poem from the 1840's written after George Markham Tweddell joined the Cleveland Lodge in Stokesley.

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

How deeply doth my soul abhor the guile

Of those, who, hating “Friendship, Love, and Truth,”

The motto that our Order doth espouse,

And lacking Charity in their hearts’ core:

Hearts where no virtues enter; hearts which are 5

A cess-pool for the blackest vice and crime;

Who, being shamed to witness our good deeds,

And think that they in them have borne no part,

Would make the world believe that we are men

Bound in some hellish combination strong 10

To interrupt the peace of social life,

Create fresh ills to curse our fellow-man,

Or add to those which they now keenly feel,

And which beneath they groan with grief and pain.

To view distress can never give us joy. 15

Who can rejoice in a Brother’s pain?

The souls of those must be, indeed, most base,

Or blinded by a more than double mist

Of darkest ignorance, who represent

The pillar of Oddfellowship to have 20

Ought for its base but pure Benevolence;

It’s column being Purity’s good stone,

Bound with the cement of enduring Truth,

On which stands, dealing blessings all around,

The spotless goddess, heavenly Charity 25

A pedestal like this, who can upset?

A cause like this who can overthrow?

Though skulking Slander, like a snake I’ the grass,

May strive to poison with his venomous sting;

11

Though hollow-hearted hypocrites may cant, 30

And, dog like, snarl and bark, against our deeds;

Though Mammon’s sons from us may stand aloof,

And those who worship Wealth refuse their aid,

Shall we, like cowards, stand aghast, deter’d

From ministering unto the sick man’s wants, 35

Striving his failing health for to recruit,

Or smooth his pillow in his dying hour?

Shall we allow the orphan’s heart to break,

Nor strive to pour in Consolation’s oil?

Shall we neglect to dry the widow’s tear, 40

Because, forsooth! Our conduct may offend

Those who delight to look on human woe,

Exulting o’er man’s misery and pain?

To me their petty persecutions seem

Encouragement more onward to advance, 45

Dispensing blessings to the sick and those

Who fain would toil, but cannot get employ.

What has our Order’s enemies e’er done

To cure the sores which we now strive to heal?

When laying on the rugged way of life, 50

Oppress’d with pain, and starving fast with want,

Some fellow-man hath cried to them for aid,

Have they not look’d upon him with contempt;

And like the Priest and Levite pass’d him by,

Without so much as list’ning to his cries? 55

Nay, like a peacock with expanded tail,

Have strutted past, with looks which more than said:

“What means this wretch, whose cries for aid annoy

“My ear which ne’er would listen to the tale

“That suff’ring creatures would not me intrude? 60

“Where’er I walk my eye is sure to meet

“Some needy suppliants, who e’er assail

“My ears with some of their unwelcome ‘plaints.

“I hate to see them, or to hear their cries.

“I have enough, and what need I to care 65

“How others famish, so no want I know.

“Why does ‘the powers that be’ not them remove

“To foreign lands, far, far beyond the sea,

“Where they might join their howl unto the wolves,

“Shriek with the vulture, or concert roar 70

“With lions, tigers, and with Norway’s bear?”

These are the men, and such as those, who howl

With wide expanded jaws, like crocodiles

12

Gaping for their prey. These the villains are

Who disguise their deeds infernal in the 75

Holy garb of sweet Religion. These are

They, who when the great, the holy cause of

Suffering humanity demands their aid,

Can coolly sit them down with folded arms,

Survey the wreck of thousands of their kind, 80

Without one effort to ward off their doom.

Villains! wretches these, until to number

In the list of men. But why waste word on

Such a worthless crew? ‘Midst all their slander,

And ‘midst all their jeers, our goodly barque 85

Does onward course her way: her sails are spread;

Her azure flag, unfurl’d, waves with graceful

Men courageous, fit for dread Danger’s hour,

Whom all the foul attacks of wicked men

Can ne’er prevent from finishing their voyage. 90

The rocks of danger may she safely pass

And reach the haven of her hope at last.

Cleveland Lodge ‘One of the Order’

[No. 10, 01.08.1843, p. 78]

.......................................


Freemasonry.

Thou asks me why I love Freemasonry,
And I will try to simply answer thee.
It is because, when Properly understood,
It trains its notaries in all things good;
Now differing in opinions most wide 5
Can take their place as Masons side by side,
Workers together for humanity,
Quite free to worship where and as they will,
In their own modes their duties to fulfil.
To the Most High; then duties to the State 10
Through any party; but indulge no hate
To Another who may not agree
With them in politics, theology,
Or on the many subjects which one finds
Prove that ‘mongst many men are many minds. 15
Freedom of thought is every Mason’s claim,
And he allows to every man the same;[1]
No matter what the colour of his skin,
So that a true soul he contain’d within;
No matter in what nation he was bred, 20
So that he has warm heart and clean head,
To comprehend and love the truths we teach,
As well by actions as by books and speech,
And from the wise by deeds of worthy sort
Has earn’d the constant “Tongue of Good Report,” 25
And is one giving promise e’er to be
A lover of our genuine Masonry.
’T is ours no longer to be call’d to raise
Temples of stone to our Creator’s praise;
But our own hearts should be order’d so well, 30
That He in them may ever please to dwell.
Fair either Temple on Moriah’s mount,
Turning e’en superstition to account;
For better far that beeves and sheep should bleed,
Than human victims stain a cruel creed. 35

George Markham Tweddell
[From his notebook Rhymes in M/S, pp. 43-44]
[[1] The text here offers “all mankind” as an alternative
to “every man”.]